Clunk, Clunk, Clunk while downshifting???

[Budrick320]

Something weird happened today:

As I was coming to a stop sign from the top of a hill, I was downshifting and I went through 4th, 3rd, 2nd, Clunk, Clunk, Clunk as I was trying to go into first. I thought, "This isn't right". So I just stopped at the stop sign and noticed that it was in neutral. I paused, went to 1st and went on my merry way.

What happened? What caused this? Thanks.

[goat]

It happens sometimes. Usually after going from 5 or 6 (or 4) to N. If you just let the clutch out in N and pull it back in before shifting down to 1, that usually takes care of it.

[Anonymous]

It's usually when you pull in the clutch a long time before you downshift.  The transmission WANTS the engine and the transmission turning close to the same speed.  When you pull in the clutch and the engine slows to idle and the bike is still moving pretty fast they aren't "synched" anymore and you get that clunk.  DON'T pull in the clutch and coast and then downshift through all the gears just before you stop, downshift as you slow.

[Budrick320]

yup, yup, Yeah, I think I let it coast with the clutch in. Great, thanks.

[dgyver]

It is best to let the clutch out between each down shift, just enough to bump the tranny. Especially when downshifting more than 2 gears. It keeps everything aligned.